First Mexican Truck Crosses Into U.S.

The first Mexican truck crossed the United States border Friday as part of the cross-border trucking pilot program between the countries, the Associated Press reported.

The truck, owned by Transportes Olympic, crossed the Rio Grande at Laredo, Texas, carrying a large steel drilling structure bound for Garland, Texas, AP reported

“We have to be extra orderly and very respectful,” AP quoted Transportes Olympic owner Fernando Paez as saying at a ceremony on the Mexican side of the border. “We will demonstrate that we can operate safely and efficiently.”

Transportes Olympic became the first Mexican carrier to receive operating authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration a week prior.

Earlier Friday, Mexico lifted the remaining tariffs on 99 U.S. products imported to the country, AP said. It had implemented the tariffs as retaliation against the U.S. for stopping the previous cross-border program.